The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-08-09
BRITISH WAR SHIPS
AND THE AMERICAN FISHERMEN.
Anxiety Caused by Their interferencoin the
Fisheries Disputs-Yar Iadieatioas--tye ,
May Yet Have to Fight Epginnd-Ad.
z mIrnl Luce on tho Situation. ,S

HALIFAX, n. % August 5.--Uon8ut zen.
eral Phelan has received no further I'D.
vices concernipg The seizure at souris Of
the schooner J. II. Perrin, The seizure
has created considerable excitement hpre,
as 1t Ia reported to be not only for an Of.
Tense against tho custom laws, but also ior
a violation Of the treaty Of 1918. IA. z
Great interest also attaches to confer.
ence which took place Saturday between
the Minister OF Fisheries, Rear Admiral
Luce, Consul General Phslan and Captain
Scott. The conference occurred on doard
the us. Flagahip Richmond and lasted
over an hour. It is understood that cir.
cumstances connected with recent seizures,
the administration Of Canadian customs
regulations, the rights OF American fisher.
men In Canadian watera, the statement OF
question: by Admiral Luce and Captain
SCOTS replies thereto, and other matters,
were freely and frankly discussed.
E AGGRESSIVE TALK. ,-f
Both Admiral Luce and Consul General
Phelan emphatically expressed their opin.
Ions that the United States would never
permit those vessels to be taken outside
the territorial waters Of Canada. 5yi
4 It Is asserted that the American authori.
ties are doing all they can towards keep.
ing matters as smooth as possible between
the two countries. American fishermen
boarded by officers Of the American war
chip Rantic, have been. warned agalnst
violating the treaty or the Canadian Gus
toms laws, and told II they do 90 the must
suffer the consequences, S3f5 'ii:y,{ &. 2
Admiral Luce authorizes the following
statement in regard to tho circular which
he issued giving instructions to American
fishermen, and which Secretary Whitney
has ordered destroyed:
ADMIRAL LUCE EXPLAINS.
Ny position is easily defined. 1t is
understood by common report that the
United States Government and that Of
Great Britain are now negotiating for a
settlement of the fisheries question. Pend.
ing these negotiations It is the part OF the
United States vessels OF war in Canadian
waters to avoid doing any thing that might
even harass our Government or add to the
complication OF the various questions at
issue. The ships Of the North Atlantic
squadron were not sent to the Gulf OF 81.
Lawrence to prevent by force seizure OF
American fishermen by Dominion cruisers
for alleged violation OF lava for the pro-
lection Of the inshore fisheries, but rather
to render such moral support as the mere
presence Of our ships might afford. In
the event Of a seizure Of an American
fishing vessel flor an alleged violation OF
the, laws Of the Dominion the case must
be fought out In the courts, not by the
Dominion cruiser and vessel Of the
United States. 8 /, !
This isnot abating one jot or one title
Of the American side OF the question, for
II the Dominion courts find in opposition
to the claim Of the United States, then the
case can be taken up by our Government
and submitted, il necessary, to arbitration.
The appeal to arms, as some Of our news
papers suggest, is supposed to be the
measure Of last rescrt." s'7s }i5
M THIS LOOKS souAwLLY.
The statement is repeated that tho Brit
ish war feet now in these waters is to 60
to North Bay and the Prince Edwards Is.
land coast to protect the fisheries from
American .encroachments. Those giving
the report profess to know whereof they
speak, but nothing connecting the men.of-
war with the fishery service is to be ascer-
tanned from the quarters moat interested.
The: announcement that British war
vessels were to interfere was frat made.late
Saturday night, and has caused genuine
surprise on all sides. 1t is the first time
that the British authorities have interfared
In the fisheries fight, and the unexpected
change OF policy occasionu no little anxiety
among Americana here. They don't
know what to make oi9it.. The men.oi-
war will not act as patrols only keep
American fishermen outside tue forbid
den waters, but will make seizures when
they cross the line. 81 & 15s AZ; 4